Pro-Palestinian protesters, one wearing a swastika, swarm through Midtown in an attempt to derail the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters invaded the streets surrounding Rockefeller Center on Wednesday, clashing with NYPD officers and chanting “from the river to the sea,” long seen as an anti-Semitic slogan, in an effort to derail the lighting. annual tree in support of Gaza.

Waving Palestinian flags and signs calling for an “end to the genocide,” protesters gathered along Sixth Avenue alongside hordes of tourists lining up to watch the iconic ceremony.

Unable to reach the New York Christmas tree, the huge crowd gathered around the tree outside the News Corp building, which houses The Post and Fox News, and has already been attacked by pro-Palestinian protesters on at least two occasions. .

“Free and free Palestine!” protesters chanted.

One protester was seen climbing to the top of the pillar bearing the direction of the building, and another was seen carrying a huge sign with a swastika, comparing the Israel Defense Forces to the German Nazis.

NYPD officers continually pushed the crowd back, calling the cops “fucking Nazis.”

Protesters tried to tear down barricades that police officers put up to keep them separated from the crowd waiting to enjoy the Big Apple’s Christmas tradition.

The NYPD ordered a high security presence ahead of the planned protest, warning that “heightened surveillance” is necessary during this year’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center.

Pro-Palestinian organizers announced their plans to discontinue the festivities earlier this week, noting that the world-renowned celebration also coincides with the UN-recognized International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Additional NYPD units were called in, law enforcement sources told The Post, adding that officers were being attacked.

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Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters invaded the streets surrounding Rockefeller Center on Wednesday in an effort to derail the annual Christmas tree lighting in support of Gaza. Annie Wermiel/NY Post Waving Palestinian flags and signs calling for an “end to the genocide,” protesters gathered along Sixth Avenue alongside hordes of tourists waiting in line to watch the iconic ceremony. James Keivom

“They should have closed it. They lost control of the street. They pushed me, punched me and kicked me. “It’s nonsense,” said one police officer caught in the fray.

Another called it “total chaos.”

Several protesters were seen being detained, although it is not clear if they were charged.

Protesters gathered outside the News Corp building, which houses The Post and Fox News, and have already been attacked by pro-Palestinian protesters on at least two occasions. James Keivom One protester was seen climbing to the top of the pillar bearing the direction of the building, and another was seen carrying a huge sign with a swastika, comparing the Israel Defense Forces to the German Nazis. FNTV

Thousands of tourists forced to share the space with the bustling demonstration routinely mocked the protesters for impeding healthy tradition.

Jamie Fry, 42, who flew from the UK to watch the tree lighting spectacle, said the protest was “very upsetting”.

“I had planned my vacation around this event, as I am a big fan of Christmas. “Now I’m surrounded by a bunch of terrorism-loving morons calling for an intifada,” Fry told The Post.

“They should have closed it. They lost control of the street. They pushed me, punched me and kicked me. “It’s nonsense,” said one police officer caught in the fray. John Roca Thousands of tourists forced to share space with the bustling demonstration routinely mocked the protesters for hindering healthy tradition. Juan Roca

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“Their strategy for gaining sympathy is disruption, but all they’ll get out of me is a big damn.”

Opal Burnett, 33, of St. Louis, Missouri, echoed Fry’s frustration, calling the interruption an embarrassment.

“It’s super, super annoying. Simply unbearable. Seeing these people in such large numbers makes me ashamed to be an American because people are watching what is happening from abroad. Kudos to the police officers for keeping these people under control and for showing restraint, because they face a lot of verbal abuse,” he said.

The NYPD ordered a high security presence ahead of the planned protest, warning that “heightened surveillance” is necessary during this year’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center. Alex Mead/NY Post Pro-Palestinian organizers announced their plans to disrupt the festivities earlier this week, noting that the world-renowned celebration also coincides with the UN-recognized International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Alex Mead/NY Post

Other tree watchers, although dismayed, emphasized that the boisterous protest would not ruin the Christmas tradition.

“Politics has no place in an event like this, but that’s exactly why they do it: to disrupt the status quo, to ruin the things we hold dear and take solace in,” said Lillian Gonzalez, 40, of the Bronx.

“The Christmas tree brings a message of peace, not conflict. That is why we are gathered here today, not to protest but to welcome the Christmas season. “None of this mafia activity is going to take that away from us.”

The unusually loud protest dissipated just an hour after the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony they had intended to disrupt, and instead morphed into a march through Manhattan to Times Square, where they chanted, “Cut him down.” .

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Despite the demonstration, the 91st annual ceremony went off without a hitch.

Kelly Clarkson hosted and performed in the two-hour show, kicking off the show with a performance of her 2013 song “Underneath the Tree.”

KeKe Palmer, Barry Manilow, and David Foster and his wife Katharine McPhee were just a few of the big names who showed up at the star-studded event: Cher even showed up to perform her new song, “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” from her first Christmas. album.

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Source: vtt.edu.vn

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